The trial of the four men linked to the rape and murder of 16-year-old Franziska Blöchliger has been postponed to Monday October 17.
They appeared briefly on Friday September 16 at the Wynberg Magistrate’s Court.
The prosecution said the state was “ready for trial” but is discussing a possible plea bargain for two of the accused. Both the prosecution and defence requested a postponement so that the defence could “finalise agreements”.
Two of the four men, Jerome Moses and Daniel Easter, had their bail extended. Mr Easter has been granted bail of R1 000 and Mr Moses R2 000.
Accused Howard Oliver and Jonathan Jonas will remain in custody as they did not apply for bail.
As they were marched to the cells, one turned, smiled and winked at people he knew in the courtroom.
Franziska, of Muizenberg, disappeared while jogging in Tokai Park on Monday March 7 (“Franziska remembered,” Bulletin, March 10). She had separated from her mother and sister, during the early afternoon and was to meet up with them again. When Franziska did not arrive at the meeting place, a frantic search ensued.
Her body was found in the early evening, about 150m from where her mother and sister had been waiting. She had been raped and strangled to death.
